I'm changing from Dean to Edwards and Kerry

[Zech Marquis]

I still agree with Dean's points, but his constant angry man stance isn't going over with me now. Kerry has that strong sense of warrior's pride--without being too snarly, and Edwards has such renewed (and refreshing) optimism.

[chimpymustgo]

1. Welcome. It feels really good. I smile when I see and hear Edwards.

Have you checked out his website: www.johnedwards200s.com.

Please click on his new ad - it is stunning.

I also respect Kerry's experience.

Hope and optimism will take us to the White House.

[trumad]

2. Geez... Nothing like hopping on a Bandwagon

I see the talking points from the repukes about Dean being Angry is having it's effect even on Dems. :eyes:

[blm]

9. Isn't "Dean is angry and that's what I like about him cuz I'm angry, too."

a talking point for Dean supporters?

[Guaranteed]

13. That's right.

And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.

[Kahuna]

25. Ever hear the saying, Don't get mad, get even?

Anger only takes you so far. We need clear thinking if we want to overthrow the bushistas. Anger should be the motivation, not strategy.

[cindyw]

58. Perfect

For me it's not that I'm not angry, I just have been angry for so long that I have moved through it. It was invading my life and making me an angry person. The negativity was not good for my kids. I frankly have had to work very hard to let it go. I see in Kerry that he has learned to let go of fear, anger and expectations. That kind of control makes the kind of man who can find a solution to the Israeli/Palestinian problem, the Iraq quagmire and bridge the divide in our nation.

[lurk_no_more]

66. Good Point

"Anger should be the motivation, not strategy.":thumbsup:


And then there were none!
” JAFO”

[9119495]

75. Clark is angry and should be.

Any doubts? Ask him if he's angry and he'll tell you "of course I am."

But feel free to spread anti-Dean shit, what with the first amendment and all...

[AntiCoup2K4]

56. You know, it's kinda funny, but some of the angriest people I see at DU

...aren't Dean supporters at all :)

[bearfartinthewoods]

24. please....we've all been here to witness the birth of the "angry man"

strategy. it's his schtick and he's "schtuck" with it now. a lot of us expressed the opinion that his anger wouldn't go over well with the average dem and it seems that opinion may be panning out.

it's hard to buy that this is a pubbie plot.

[buckeye1]

27. When its gone

whats leftover? Help me.

[liberalnurse]

33. Well, there sure are a lot of democrats in support of the

contrary. In Des Moines, Iowa, the Dean Camp is just less than a block next to the Kerry Camp. Dean has 2 huge buildings to Kerry's one. The Dean camp is packed with media and campaign volunteers from all over the USA. I met folks from Texas, Hawaii, California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Kansas...As they enter and sign in, greeters anounce their home state! The volunteers are constantly on the move canvasing, telephoning, educating one another on assignments, preparing literature etc...; all task oriented and focused. The energy is epidemic. Organized chaos like a bee hive.

The Kerry camp is modestly attended but has no comparison to volunteer hive activity seen at the Dean camp. Its just an observation.

I believe I have been part of history. The Iowa Perfect Storm.....

[LizW]

46. Don't ever stop believing it

Quote from liberalnurse:

"I believe I have been part of history."

You have. You are. :hug:

[GalleryGod]

63. The Ink's Not Dry Yet, However...

A bit of perspective first !?

Your Man in the Faculty Lounge,

GG

[Clark4VotingRights]

70. "It's schtick and it's schtuck"! Very nice bearfart...

You nailed it. He seems unable to evolve (into a real leader).

[9119495]

79. Kerry only started to rise in Iowa AFTER he

revealed some emotion--yes, anger--in his speeches. Are you in Iowa? Have you not been watching his speeches?

[AP]

41. Hopping on the bandwagon might explain the appeal Dean had.

[GalleryGod]

59. I'm A Kerry/Clark Man -but WoW! Edwards is smoking'!

Go! Johnny Go!:yourock:

One helluva terrific candidate! Never-say-die! Erudite,compassionate,RESPONSIBLE and w/o Faux Anger

[beaconess]

42. Yes, you're right about hopping on bandwagons

and it seems that many of those who hopped on the Dean bandwagon are jumping off now that they realize they don't like where it's heading.

[9119495]

80. So Dean

had no ideas and a bandwagon, but Edwards is the perfect candidate? He is toting the wagon in Iowa now--are his new supporters uncritical, misguided fools? I think not, but some on DU seem to think that is all Dean's supporters are.

[pnziii]

3. Too bad

Dean reminds me of Truman.
Gruff fighter that would dig in his heals. The others talk about fighting Bush, but their records show they have gone along with Bush in the Senate or House.

By the way how did Edwards vote on the Patriot Act II or the WAR or Patriot Act I when it counted to fight against Bush

[FreeperSlayer]

5. Truman?!?

He reminds me of Dukakis (in his chances, not stances).

[9119495]

78. Harry Truman--and yes he is much like Truman

Are you saying you're a big fan of the Willie Horton add? That add had a tremendous effect in 88--and it was other factors that doomed Dukakis that are far different from what Dean is facing.

Did MD have to fight off a coordinated attack from Democrats? Did he have the money to fight liek Dean? Did he really speak his mind? Did he have an uncanny knack for the seeing the truth--like Dean did when he said America is safer after the capture of Sadam? Or that perhaps martyring Osama would be a bad thing security-wise?

[creativelcro]

14. Yes, with Kerry and Edwards I see another Gore repeat.

Talk big in front of audiences, but when they face Bush they would just wimp out for fear of bad press about being blunt.

[bearfartinthewoods]

Edwards....wimp out?

like Edwards says, he dreams about debating bush. i dream of Edwards debating bush too.

the south is not bush's back yard. It's MY backyard and i'm gonna beat george bush in MY Backyard...John Edwards.

[creativelcro]

34. I don't care what he says. Gore was supposed to be a debate Terminator

and see what we got in the end...

[buckeye1]

29. How old were you?

When Truman was Presidant.

[AP]

43. Americans are probably offended that Dean would act like those two votes

are more important than a tax plan that shifts the burden off the middle class.

Dean's priorities are, no doubt schewed, for most Americans.

At least Kucinich has his priority straight: he talks about middle class opportunity more than IWR and Patriot Act. Dean can't deign to tell the middle class how he plans on taxing them.

[beaconess]

45. We all know how Edwards voted

How did Howard Dean vote?

Oh, that's right. He didn't vote. He just watched from the sidelines, risk free, and told us what he would have done, after the fact. Funny, though, when pressed about how he would vote on the $87 billion - before he knew what the outcome would be - he hemmed and hawed and punted, refusing to answer because "I'm not in Congress. I'm running for president. I'd tell you what I'm going to do but I'm not going to tell you how I'd face an issue that is not of my making."

And he expects us to believe that, had he been forced to put his money where his mouth was, that he would have joined Russ Feingold as the lone Senators to vote against Patriot.

Sure, Gov. Dean . . .

And, by the way, nobody voted on Patriot II.

[sangha]

72. Dean hasn't gone along with Bush* in Congress, but

Dean never had the chance to do ANYTHING in Congress. And while he will "stand up" to Bush*, once Bush* is defeated we will need someone to stand up to the Repukes in Congress and Dean's record as governor does not make me optimistic about his ability or his desire to do this.

In the mid 90's, when the Republicans were trying to eliminate the use of race in AA, cut Medicare, and pass a Balanced Budget Amendment (in order to starve social programs of their funding) Dean didn't stand up to them - He joined them.

[lastknowngood]

4. If your not angry then your not paying attention

If we don't let the country know that we are willing to fight, figuratively and physically, we will never win. The time for pretending
that the shrub and his minions of hate and violence will follow the
rules is past. If we are to lose at least let us stand for something.
Those who would continue the illusion that it's politics as usual
are destined to fall. Without a rising tide of anger against the
criminal enterprise running our country it will continue.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

[Guaranteed]

15. WELL SAID

Goddamn! You hit it ALL.

GET UP AND FIGHT, PEOPLE.

[Skip Intro]

21. I'll second that. (n/t)

[leyton]

62. The only reason it isn't politics as usual

is because the Republicans have been in total control since the start of this Congressional term. Of course Bush won't follow the rules, but that doesn't mean we throw caution to the wind and support whoever has the most pointed rhetoric at Bush. I'm sorry, but I don't think a rising tide of anger will do it. Smart politics and a candidate who can actually match Bush where he's strongest - personality - is the ticket to victory.

[GalleryGod]

65. That's Rich.......

[daveskilt]

6. Angry???

I keep hearing that Dean is angry but I haven't actually heard or seen anything which was angry come from him. If anything he should be more angry about bush trashing the environment, lying to his economic advantage, causing the deaths of thousands and being so damned smug about all of it.

If Dean does have a major fault though it is his lack of organization (3500 volunteers to Iowa aside) He seems to constantly be playing catch up to try and respond to criticisms from other dems. If he cant handle that how is he going to survuve the Bush machine? Since my only concern is that the winner is anyone but bush, I just want the most winnable candidate - whoever that turns out to be.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

71. Dean says he has an anger problem. Do you not believe him?

"When people get in my face, I tend to get in theirs," Dr. Dean said in the interview at The Times. "Al Sharpton was in my face last night and I was not going to step one step, half a step, backwards, and I don't care who's in my face.

"I tend to be reflective rather later than sooner," he added. "Now, unfortunately, we all know that nobody's personality is perfect. So the things that make me a strong candidate are also my Achille's heel."
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/06/politics/campaigns/06DEAN.html?hp

I may not believe everything Howard Dean says, but when he says: "I tend to be reflective rather later than sooner" -- that seems to be an assertion backed up by the evidence. I believe him.

[End Evil]

7. Excellent!

Dean appears to be an internet, student flavor-of-the-election, phenom w/o substance. He would never, IMO, take the general election. A vote for Dean would truly be a vote for Bush.

Edwards is great because, if you note, a lot of people who have Dean and others as first choices still like Edwards. In order to win the general election, we need someone with broad-based appeal.

Regarding Kerry, he is a good man.

However, may I ask that you please check out Clark as well?

George McGovern has now endorsed him.

Mary Frances Berry of the Civil Rights Commission that held the hearings on the disenfranchisement schemes in Floriduh 2000 endorses Clark.

Michael Moore endorses Clark.

I believe Clark has a good heart, he will appeal to a broad-based coalition, yet, there is no disputing some of these incredibly progressive endorsements.

Thanks!

[jonnyblitz]

10. It is good to see that CLark supporters like McGovern now.

Before he was always mentioned as a negative, you know, Dean is like McGovern etc...

[robbedvoter]

20. True. This association enhanced both men. reminded us McGovern is a

war hero, reminds you Clark opposed the war.
had he endorsed HD, the perception would have been quite different.
Fortunately, McGovern and Clark have been friends all along. (maybe McGovern is a stealth GOP-ers, PNAC-er, MIC-er and all that stuff Fair told you)

[ulysses]

26. I noticed that.

Being George McGovern suddenly became a positive for a lot of people for whom it wasn't before...

[liberalnurse]

36. I've been busy with the Dean Campaign.... I heard this

on the radio.....Oh, I thought of all the negative association posts to where being "in-like with McGovern" or "Dean is a McGovern" ..... And now the voices are slient with Dean-McGovern bashing. I sense a lot of mouths will be speechless after tonight....

[End Evil]

37. I would like to know where

you get your info!

My first vote was for McGovern and my next will be for Clark. Maybe you're confusing the media or some other candidate's supporters, but I never mentioned McGovern as a negative! My first vote? No way could he be a negative. So glad he hasn't been snowed and realizes a good man in Clark as do I.

[creativelcro]

16. Good hearth? You mean he would be a good organ donor ?

How can a military man really have a "good hearth" when their business is running wars ?

[jonnyblitz]

8. all that anger and snarliness is the main reason I like him.

"polite and nice" is going to get CRUCIFIED by the Rove juggernaut. I have read analysis where this has always been the DEMS problem.

[Lexingtonian]

11. So-

Are you saying that Angry Is Good is an attitude hatched quite purely of fearfulness?

[JI7]

12. i like both of them also

you know kerry is my #1 but edwards is a good one also. in 2000 i had wanted al gore to get kerry or edwards for vp.

[Guaranteed]

17. We have an opportunity, here, to beat Bush.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=320862

But it's not going to be easy, and we're going to have to TAKE the presidency from Bush. No one's going to beat him by half-heartedly defending and half-heartedly opposing his policies.

[pnziii]

18. Edwards voting record

He's not very democratic when it comes to his voting record

https://ssl.capwiz.com/aclu/bio/?id=439&congress=1081&lvl=C

[beaconess]

50. He voted against Bush more than any other Senator

more than Harkin, more than Kennedy, more than anyone.

[Skip Intro]

19. Who here isn't angry?

I'm pretty damned angry. About the great theft. About the lies from the oil pigs. About what's been done to my country. Yep, pretty damned angry.

I haven't seen any outbursts from Dean, tho you'd think he was just shy of a straightjacket from the dizzying spin.

But I believe he's angry about what has been taken from us and what has been shoved upon us in the last three years. And I'm pretty angry about that myself.

(edited the subject line for secret homland security reasons)

[Polemonium]

22. This isn't a miss America contest

Please look deeper than the surface, past the rhetoric. Who is behind most of the candidates, what foundation are they and their platforms built on. Dean is the only candidate who can say his foundation is hundreds of thousands of people. You can build a hell of alot on that kind of foundation, and we have not seen anything like it for 30 years. Imagine a DNC that is run from the ground up, imagine less corporate money in the white house, imagine the grass-roots fired up enough to make platforms reality. Dean not only can beat Bush but he has a better shot at beating him because he is different. We've been running failing campaigns for four years, don't you think it's time to try something different.

[lastknowngood]

35. Well said

The DNC has been split by the DLC into two parties with one being in support of corporations and the other the labor and traditional voting blocks. The DNC has been sending out fundraiser letters and getting back replies such as if you stop dissing my candidate maybe I'll send you some money. Remember the DNC/DLC attacked Dean when he started rising and the DLC and it's reps continue to do so. The DLC has not attacked either Kerry, Gebhardt, or Edwards. Who should be running this party the corporate money or the people? Do we believe it should be the people? Also Dean is the only one who has a chance of competing with the money raising machine. Kerry has mortgaged his homes to stay in the race and Gebhardt is very low also, I don't
know about Edwards but he is unlikely to draw big money.

[flpoljunkie]

44. Dean's "Insurgent Campaign" Now Filled with Washington Insiders...

Perhaps this is the reason Dean's momentum has slowed or stopped. People are looking past his angry rhetoric and deciding that "repealing all of the Bush tax cuts" is political suicide, in addition to being unfair to low and middle-income Americans. Politically, a man who skied, while others fought and died in Vietnam, is not the person to contrast with Bush, who has been sold as a strong commander-in-chief.

Dean's campaign is endorsed by Washington power players and advised by the usual assortment of Washington insiders. . It might be posited that Dean's momentum peaked with the Gore endorsement--followed by other Washington insiders--Tom Harkin, Ann Richards (big time Washington lobbyist), Warren Christopher, Leon Fuerth--among others. Dean's co-chair could not be more insider-- Steve Grossman, former AIPAC head who has also headed the DNC.

Dean is, in a word, very connected to the Washington power structure. His advisors are said to meet weekly in Washington to discuss strategy. His "outsider, insurgent" campaign is hardly as advertised.

There is no doubt that the Dean campaign has exploited internet fundraising and organization, and, it appears, has energized considerable numbers of young people--all to its credit. However, it is doubtful that Dean is the man to stand up to the Washington power structure, based on his own record in Vermont--cozying up to corporate business interests, and enacting regressive sales taxes while reducing income taxes on the wealthy.

This, I think, is what the voters of Iowa are coming to realize--that more than angry rhetoric is required of the person who would be our Democratic nominee.

[izzie]

23. I like Dean but more and more I see Edwards as a class act.

Kerry I have also liked. I am stuck with those three.

[TexasSissy]

28. How can you be for two simultaneously? Who will you vote for?

[Zech Marquis]

30. compared to Edwards..

when I listen to Edwards, he's really welcoming and encourages me, Kerry is also encouraging, not in a kick their ass mode 24/7 though...so that's something Dean can work on.

[DemSigns]

31. You are by definition angry too if you go to DU

Without a doubt, if you have taken the time to join and post at DU, or are even just a lurker here, you are angrier than most Americans. We need Americans to join in our anger, not cower from it. The media has hyped this Dean-is-angry thing for so long now that all that people listen for is an angry tone in his speeches.

Dean needs to be given credit for stepping out and saying that we are all angry at * for hundreds of reasons. * is an outrage. Anger is the truth at this time in history, like it or not. Dean has hope, Dean has plans, Dean has experience, but all the media will drum is Dean-is-angry.

[Zech Marquis]

32. to clear one thing out

I agree wit Dean's meesgae, because I'm a s mad as any dem here about what's happeend these past 4 years.

BUT, it can't be all aner, all the time. Acknolwedging the anger is part one, motivating me in a positive fashion is part two. When the time comes to smack * upside his head at th debate, sure bring the heat, but don't be snarly either. The first impressin you make is a lasting impression, be it for work, relationships, and especially politics.

[jcgadfly]

39. True. It can't be "all anger all the time"

But it can't be "no anger all the time" or "a show of anger in front of the cameras and all smiles and conciliation in the legislature" either.

Whoever gets the nomination needs to show that he'll get angry when it's appropriate and back up his rhetoric when that is called for.

Kucinich is the only one I've seen thus far that has pulled that off.

[beaconess]

47. The problem with a campaign based on anger is that it only gets you so far

The voters who are attracted by Dean's anger are already on board. They're not going to vote for Bush. That means that the people the Dems need to appeal to are those who are likely to or considering voting for Republican but who can be persuaded to vote with us. These people are not angry - frustrated maybe, disappointed certainly, but not viscerally angry at Bush and the Republicans. So trying to appeal to them by being angry will not work and will, in fact, likely repel them right into Republican camp.

The way to appeal to these folks is to offer a clear contrast between our policies and Bush's, to show them why our way of doing things will benefit them far more than Bush's. You don't do that by yelling at them and making them feel stupid for considering voting Republican (after all, only clueless people would even consider voting for someone they are supposed to hate).

That's why I think Howard Dean's approach, while good for revving up the true believers, is a sure losing strategy for November.

[AP]

64. This is why FDR didn't use fear and anger when the Republicans were trying

to frighten people in the 30s into accepting a pro-Wall St, anti-worker, fascist anti-fascist government.

FDR fought fascism by appealing to optimism and hope.

It's like math. You cannot resolve this equation by replacing X with anger.

[jcgadfly]

68. You can't raplace it with nothing

or with better named Republican programs either.

When I saw one of Sen. Edwards strategies for winning the war on terrorism (a war that cannot be won with weapons) was creating a Homeland Intelligence Agency, I thought "Ok, he wants to give the Department of Homeland Security a better name. Whoopee."

Sometimes the people have to be angry enough to want a better deal before it can be offered.

You can't offer food to a dog that isn't hungry. You can't offer change to a complacent populace.

[AP]

61. anger and fear is used to get people to accept less. That's why RW'ers

use it.

Fear of terrorism and anger at Iraq has been used to confuse Americans into thinking that the economice malaise isn't the government's fault and it's used as smoke and mirrors to prevent people from seeing that it isn't EVERYONE who is suffering. In fact, the people at the top are doing great right now.

But you know what? Dean uses fear and anger for the exact same reason!

Where the hell is his tax plan which addresses the redistribution of wealth to the wealthy? Well, uh, hmmm, errr, "I'm ANGRY at Bush!!! Aren't YOU!??!! ASHCROFT!!! IWR! Patriot Act!!!"

Uhm, what about middle class opportunity?

[Jerseycoa]

38. Two good choices

:toast:

[CMT]

40. so if Dean wins tonight will you jump back?

I don't care if someone leaves the campaign but you say you agree with him on the issues but now that he is dipping in some polls you are ready to jump ship. It tells me you were a very soft supporter to begin with. Hopefully you will find a candidate you can agree with on the issues and believe in as well.

[cryofan]

48. I distrust Dean , but switch back if Dean starts talking populist leftism

This race may end up being a race to the Left (and that includes Bush). We need to encourage that by supporting whatever candidate talks the most leftist, liberal rhetoric.

[Lobo_13]

49. You've been replaced

The identified supporters tally has increased by roughly 4,000 per day for the last few days.

We'll take the loss.

[beaconess]

51. This is indicative of the attitude that is causing Dean to slip

Telling voters, "good riddance, we don't need you" is not a really good way to maintain a strong base of support for your candidate.

Successful politicians know not to spit in the well - they may need to drink from in again. Your disdain toward anyone who doesn't worship at the altar of Dr. Dean is one of the reasons that people are taking a second look and not liking what they see.

[Lobo_13]

54. This is indicative of why Dean will ultimately win

We aren't going to wring our hands and tie ourselves up in knots over people who want to be pandered to.

The five minutes that's spent arguing with someone who's against Howard Dean is time better spent finding people who are for Howard Dean.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

[Zech Marquis]

67. we'll take the loss, huh?

oh that's nice of you ;eyes: So yu're saying that I wasn't important anyway? That kind of arrogance won't help Dean. In fact, it makes my earlier statements about Dean;s anger all the more valid. Geez, have a little humbleness guys..

[Lobo_13]

74. Come November

you can either vote for Dean or vote for Bush.

If you have such a problem with Dean, then don't vote for him. We'll be plenty busy mining the 50 mil people who didn't vote last time. I predict you'll be replaced 6 mil times over.

[sangha]

76. The "Inevitability" ploy - How cute!

Especially after the most recent polls from Iowa.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

52. Good for You!

I think those are certainly both better choices than Dean. I echo End Evil's comments above, however, although if you've been watching this long, I have a feeling you've already given Clark the once-over. :-)

DTH

[arewethereyet]

53. people can only be mad for so long

hope is what drives the human spirit.

[beaconess]

55. Bill Clinton said it well . . .

{paraphrasing}

We don't have to get ugly or mean or use their {Republicans} despicable tactics. All we need to do is say, "Here's what we believe. This is what they believe. We think our way is better and here's why. We can't help but win that way."

[arewethereyet]

57. yeah, and that approach wins elections too. funny how that works

Go Edwards !

[jcgadfly]

69. Bill Clinton was the best Republican president this country ever had.

It seems odd to me that people complain about the country moving too far right and then turn around and offer right-leaning strategies as a countermeasure.

[beaconess]

60. We can all learn from the Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Movement was founded on anger, but it was driven by quiet, smart determination. We can learn from that.

Anger drove the people to action, propelled them into the churches, the community centers, homes. But once there, they directed their anger toward concentrated, intelligent action. They knew that they cannot rush out half-cocked and loaded for bear since that kind of anger leads to mistakes and distorted judgment. So they thought things through, worked together and filled with righteous indignation (which is very different from anger) took to the streets and made a difference.

Yes, we need anger, but before we march into the fray, we need to convert that anger into something positive and effective. Anger for anger's sake will bring us nothing in the long run.

[Daddyman]

73. New guy to posting - question about "positions"

I've been a lurker for a while, but never posted, since I'm new I can't start a new thread, but felt this was close enough to be appropriate here.

I've been somewhat torn as to whom in the Party to support. I'm leaning toward Kerry or Edwards, but I'd love to see a site or page that describes objectively (or at least attempts to be objective) the candidates' positions on various issues.

Can anyone help me with such a link?

Thank you

[sangha]

77. Welcome to the world of posting on DU!!!

Check DU's Home Page. There are links to all of the candidates web sites as well as essays from DUers describing why they support their candidate.

[Daddyman]

81. Thanks - and I have done some surfing there

I guess I'm trying to decide - without asking for mudslinging - what positions truly differentiate these candidates. So much seems personality driven rather than issue driven. They all want to give the middle-class a "tax-break" , but is there truly a difference? Have any made particular refernce or set goals of improving social services?

I'm a rather educated person, but frankly, with a job and family it's hard to find time to do sufficient research into these issues. So I've remained all too ignorant and I'm frankly hoping for an education here.

[Lorien]

82. The media is smiling

n/t

[Eloriel]

83. That's funny, Zech

I don't recall that you were ever a Dean supporter. Were you?

But in any case, you've got it wrong about the anger thing. Here's how that meme went down:

How Dean Got So Angry
http://www.nypress.com/17/1/news&columns/cage.cfm

I had a front-row seat for this process. Though there were rumblings on the "angry" front before–most notably in a June piece by Matt Bai in the New York Times magazine that concluded by wondering aloud if Dean’s "angry message" might not be his downfall–the real launch of the "angry" theme came in the dual cover stories in Time and Newsweek that appeared simultaneously in early August.

Both Newsweek’s Jonathan Alter and Time’s Karen Tumulty–using language suspiciously similar to that of earlier Democratic Leadership Council memos about the burgeoning Dean disaster–focused heavily on the "anger" theme, openly concluding that the chief "problem" of Dean’s candidacy would be convincing voters to get past his "anger," "testiness" and "pugnacity."

snip

I was on that plane, and I can report that the "angry" issue (as well as the "journalists hate Dean" issue) was something that was much discussed among the journalists. Mostly we thought it didn’t make too much sense. With us reporters on the plane, Dean was never anything but congenial and accommodating. And in his speeches and public appearances, he presented the full gamut of emotions. I think I speak for a lot of the reporters in saying that had I not just read the Fineman and Tumulty pieces, I would’nt have been aware that he was any angrier than any other candidate running for office. Christ, Dick Gephardt by comparison is a raving lunatic: waving his finger all the time and screeching, "Bush is a miserable failure!" with that creepy mask-like face of his. The only difference is, Gephardt’s speaking in front of 10 people.

Nonetheless, because of the Time-Newsweek stories, a large percentage of the reporters on the Dean plane felt that they had to at least address the "angry" issue. And so a great many of us talked about Dean having the reputation for an angry public style, and this focus frequently came at the expense of actually explaining to readers what Dean’s positions were.

-- more --

Were one to actually watch his stump speeches and other appearances, you'd see passion and intensity, and some entirely appropriate outrage, not anger. Were one to spend any time reading supporters' comments on the blog, you'd see mention of Dean's anger. You'd see instead that his supporters are filled with hope about the Dean candidacy because of his straightforward, honest and authentic approach to politics, and esp. about giving The People our power OVER our government back.

The "angry" meme is only used by those who either don't want him to succeed, or who are ill-informed about Dean.

[RetroLounge]

84. Ooooh, please, don't be angry Dr. Dean

Because look what NOT being angry has got us so far...

Do you prefer Pink Tutus running around the Rose Garden?